NATCHEZ, Miss. — The city gave Regions the final green light Wednesday to build its bank on Canal Street.

The Natchez Preservation Commission approved the bank’s architectural design to ensure it fits in the historic district.

Construction is expected to begin soon in the new year. In a downsizing move, Regions is getting out of its larger local main office on Pearl and Franklin streets.

With the new building near homes and significant historic properties, special attention is given to what the commercial building looks like. The Preservation Commission sweated over details, such as getting Regions to reduce the vivid green signage the Alabama-based banking corporation brands itself with.

The Canal Street bank will be located across from Rosalie, the antebellum mansion built in 1823, and the Fort Rosalie site, where the French established Natchez’ first European settlement in 1716.

The Natchez Preservation Commission is charged with ensuring new construction and building alterations are appropriate for the city’s architectural and historical settings. The commission’s approval of Regions’ design came the day after the Natchez Board of Aldermen voted to rezone the Canal Street property to let Regions build its new bank. It had previously been zoned for residential use.